Henry dynasty is still going strong

NEXT to the achievements of his grandfather in the game, Ronnie Henry admits his own exploits are rather trivial.

Luton captain Ronnie Henry is preparing for a tough test against Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday

Nevertheless, Luton skipper Henry is hoping to inspire his own son Louis to win their private generation game.

Ron Henry was part of Tottenham’s Double-winning side of 1961 and again an FA Cup winner a year later, far grander claims to fame than today’s bid by “the first man to lift a trophy at the new Wembley” to be part of the only non-League side since the First World War to reach the competition’s quarter-finals.

Henry Jr admits his achievement in captaining Stevenage to FA Trophy success in 2007 is never going to register much in footballing history except with pub quiz enthusiasts, compared to his grandfather’s honours achieved more than 50 years ago.

But having had six-year-old Louis alongside him as a mascot when he played for Stevenage at White Hart Lane in the FA Cup last season, Henry hopes that another big cup game against Millwall today in front of the television cameras will continue to nudge his son along the way to his own footballing success.

There is added poignancy when Henry talks about today being “one to remember” for his son. All the time, gnawing away at this game of happy families, is the fact that, shortly after the death of his nan, his grandfather began to suffer from Alzheimer’s.

Win or lose, Henry will go and talk to the former Spurs legend about today’s game, although these days it makes little difference. While he was at least able to see his grandson lift that cup at Wembley five years ago, now Ron Henry seems cut off from the real world almost entirely.

“My grandad is not well at the moment,” defender Henry, 29, admits candidly. “He does not have too much of a clue about what is going on. But that does not stop me doing it for him anyway. I am sure the family will be proud of me.

“Every medal and every trophy you win as a player is a bonus, because some players go through their whole career without winning anything. I am privileged enough to have won things in my career.

“The FA Trophy was a great occasion. It was the first competitive game at the new Wembley and I had the chance to lift the first trophy. For me, that was a fantastic achievement and many people still speak about it today – even if it is mainly in pub quizzes!

Ron Henry holds the FA Cup on the open-top bus during Tottenham Hotspur's homecoming in 1962

“Every medal and every trophy you win as a player is a bonus, because some players go through their whole career without winning anything."

Ronnie Henry

“I was lucky enough for my grandfather to see me on that occasion and that was a great day for the family, and one I will remember for the rest of my life.

“I would love for him to see me today and also my nan, who was a very big part of my football career – she was the one who got me started in football.

“She passed away not so long ago. So yes, it has been hard. But they would always want me to keep my head up and do as well as I can.

“They were always behind me and supporting me.

“Now I have Louis and Ella, who is three. Louis is well into football and has all the kits for every team, and boy he is learning the difference between winning and losing.

“He knows now when we win and we lose and so does my daughter and that pushes me on even more as I don’t want to see them unhappy. Maybe Louis will get into football when he is older. I hope he becomes the best player in the family.”

Henry still lives in Hemel Hempstead, where he was born, and nearly joined Luton a decade ago only to fall foul of a transfer ban due to the financial crisis at the club.

He had just left Tottenham as a product of their academy without playing a first-team game and was forced to leave home for the first time just to make ends meet.

“I was playing for Luton in games behind closed doors and they said they would like to sign me, but they couldn’t do anything at that time.

“I was paid a little money by Spurs, but it was beginning to run out. So after that I went to Ireland to play for six months and that was all right. But when I had a choice between moving there permanently or coming home, I decided to return and joining Stevenage was terrific. Now I am back at Luton, the club is stable and we can look to the future, rather than the past.”